Ellingham Primary School and Woodton Primary School have fallen from good to requires improvement.

(c) Stockbyte

Two south Norfolk primary schools have fallen from good to requires improvement following their latest inspection by Ofsted.

shares

Ellingham Primary School and Woodton Primary School, which are in a federation, were visited by separate inspectors last month and were found to be in need of improvement in at least three of the four key areas.

The report, published last week, states that Woodton Primary requires improvement in the achievement of pupils, quality of teaching and leadership and management, although the behaviour and safety of pupils were graded good. Meanwhile Ellingham Primary requires improvement in all four areas.

The inspector said that pupils’ progress at Woodton varies too much from year to year because teachers have only recently begun using information to check pupils’ achievements and some staff are unsure how to teach three or four age groups in one class. Meanwhile the inspector at Ellingham said pupils do not make good progress in all year groups and that teachers do not use information about how well pupils are progressing to challenge them. However they said that Charlotte Whyte, headteacher of both schools, has an ‘accurate view of the school’s strengths and areas for development’ and has introduced changes that are rapidly improving achievement.

Ms Whyte, who took up her post in January, said: “These judgements are what we expected and we are pleased that inspectors have acknowledged that both schools are making progress and beginning to improve. Children are getting a really good start in reception and we are building on the strong teaching and learning that takes place at both schools. As a partnership, we have the added benefit of drawing on the skills and expertise of staff in both schools to give pupils the very best opportunities and we must now build on that.

“We have strong support from parents, governors and the community and talented and committed staff and I am confident that both schools are already moving in the right direction to become good schools.”